NW Peony Planting & Care

Swansons offers a wide selection of Peony varieties for the Northwest garden. Peonies require full sun in fertile, well-drained soil with adequate feeding. With proper planting and a little care, your peonies will provide years of beauty and enjoyment with a minimal amount of trouble.

Planting instructions

Peonies are best planted in the fall, anytime from late September through early December. If you are purchasing a potted plant in spring or summer, it's best to leave the plant in its pot until fall before transplanting. As a temporary measure, you may sink the entire pot in the ground where it is to be planted later, adding an inch or two of gravel to the soil below the pot to ensure proper drainage.

In fall, dig a large hole at least 18" deep and 24" wide. Fill the bottom of the hole with rich, humus-y soil and plenty of compost, composted manure or peat moss. Add 1-2 cups all-purpose organic fertilizer. Lightly tamp this mixture and water well. Carefully remove the plant from it's pot and loosen up any circling or compacted roots. Place it in the partially filled hole, back-filling with a similar soil mixture as you go. Make sure the top of the plant's bud "eyes" are no more than 2 inches below the top soil level when planting is complete, taking into account any additional mulch layer that you will add. Water in well to complete the process.

Care for established plants

The second spring after planting, top dress 6"-12" from the crown of the plant with an all-purpose organic fertilizer.

Peonies are relatively drought tolerant once established. Care should be taken, however, to water during periods of active growth in the spring and late summer to ensure proper bud growth.

Botrytis is the only disease that affects peonies. It is characterized by drooping, blackened or scorched-looking foliage and dried up flower buds. Remove any signs of diseased material from the plant, cleaning your pruners with an alcohol solution between each cut. Do not compost diseased material. Spray the plant with a copper-based fungicide to help control the disease.

After your peony puts on a marvelous display of color in the fall, cut the browning foliage to the ground and mulch with a couple of inches of compost. Sit back and relax while you wait for an even more beautiful plant next season!

Join the e-Garden Club

When you sign up for Swansons’ e-Garden Club you’ll receive members-only perks, such as invitations to special events, early notification of sales and promotions, helpful gardening tips, information about workshops, and exclusive discounts. Sign up now and receive $5 off your next purchase!

Note: We have updated to a new POS system. Please help us merge our records and serve you better by giving us your phone number.

Our promise: we will never sell your number or use it to make unsolicited calls! Thank you for your help!

Name *

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address *

Zip Code *

Phone

Phone

Thank you for helping us update our new system by including your phone number. Our promise: we will NOT sell or use this number to make unsolicited calls!

(###)

###

####

Thank you for signing up! There’s one more step. You will receive a confirmation email soon. Click the link in this email to finalize your subscription.